I've seen a lot mentioned on these forums about getting a joint bank account as proof of true marriage. My husband and I tried to have me added to his account but we were told that I need a SSN to do this (no exception). While my AOS is pending, it's impossible for us to get a joint account though we have plenty of other documentation to prove our marital lives together.

How important is it to have a joint bank account?

It's not all that important. There are other ways to demonstrate that a couple is commingling their financial obligations and assets.

Ok that's kind of what I thought.

Thanks.

It is one of the documents you can use to validate your marriage.

like what documents since we are not planning to do the AOS after the 2yrs married (I entetred here as K3), so that i wont have to apply for lifting status since i have my 3 kids with me to apply also so our expenses would be less , and u cant get SSN if ur not applying AOS or EAD. He cant also put any bill in my name coz again i dont have SSN nub, all he did is put me in his insurance as beneficiary and in his tax

So when do we get our SSN? How can we get a job/paid without one? Or do you get it with your EAD? Wow - I feel like a n00b all over

Once you have your EAD (or GC) in hand, you can go to the SSA office and apply for SSN.

If you want a joint bank account try another bank.

My wife and I opened a joint Wells Fargo US checking account while we still lived in England and 2 years before I got a SSN. She also added me to her savings account at a credit union before I had a SSN.

I applied for my SSN about 2 weeks after I arrived. They need that long to enter you into the system. I got married after I applied for the SSN so I need to change it into my married name at some point. It is very difficult to do anything without one and you need to apply before the 90 days of your K1 are finished.

Cool - but don't some States require that you get married before you get your SSN?

SSNs are issued at the federal level, not the state level, so rules for all states for issuing SSNs are the same.

That's correct - depends on the state. We didn't need his when we got married.

I read her question more as "doesn't the SSA require you to be married before issuing an SSN?" not "do you need an SSN to get married?"

Just to clarify my response

Oh ok - you may be right. I thought the question was 'do I need an SSN to get married'.

At least our replies covered both angles, LOL.

Haha, yep! I just wanted to clarify so as not to confuse her more! "Yes...AND no!"

I thought you could apply for SSN as soon as you get here i.e as soon as you have the I-94. Thats not the same as EAD right? And if thats the case, you could technically go to the SSN office and apply for one right away, correct?

You need to wait at least two weeks from the POE so that your information at the point of entry has time to make it into the computer system that the SSA uses to do its verifications. When you get to the SSA after those two weeks, they will want to see your passport with the I 94 in it.

What's not the same as EAD? Getting your social security number? No - EAD is a completely separate process; you apply for it when you send in your AOS paperwork - it is the document which proves that you have permission from immigration to work. An SSN on its own does not do that - its a completely separate process from immigration.

*edited for clarity*

I think having a joint bank account in a marriage is vital. A married couple should have enough trust and responsibility to handle the demands. I plan on sharing everything with Sasha.

I'm hoping we have two separate accounts and one joint account - that way we always have a little financial independence It means I can go out and spend my money on frivolous things without him getting p'd off at me

My hubby doesn't mind me spending $ frivolously sometimes - as long as it's within reason!

We have separate bank accounts ... both names are on the one I use, but it's easier for us to keep track of finances that way.